I am a little guy who does not yet have the power to throw a knockout punch. I would like to know the best way to improve my power in my punches. Any info is greatly appreciated and ill keep you guys posted on fight results.

The second part of the equation is usually the easier of the two to see large amounts of improvement on. That is working on hand speed. Simply punch in a way not to emphasize power, but to emphasize the amount of acceleration you put into it. If you try to "put it all" into a punch, you'll tense up. You need to punch in a fluid, loose manner. How? Repitition, repitition, repitition... Keep punching until your arms feel like they're about to fall off.

An easy thing to do, is to punch using either weights on your wrists, or using big ass 16oz training gloves. Once you take the gloves off, your hands will feel lighter, and they will move at a greater rate of acceleration.

Okay, now the first part of the equation takes a lot of fine tuning. The way that you add mass to your punch is simply by using good body mechanics to train yourself to move you body with each punch. Again, the only way to tune your body movements well enough is repitition.

For instance, when you shoot out a jab, turn your hip towards your target. That will cause your shoulders to rotate into the direction of the punch (thus adding the mass of your upper body into the equation). You can add the mass of your lower body into the equation by pushing off your rear foot and sliding your front foot forward two or three inches. This will greatly increase the amount of force in your jab.

I can probably go on in length about it, but because of time constraints let me suggest a few things:

1) Pick up a good reference book that breaks down the kinesthetics of a punch in an easily understandable manner. I suggest two books that I have right off the bat:

The Tao of Jeet Kune Do by, Bruce Lee (I know, it may be a little dated or philosophy heavy, but the way Lee breaks down the kinesiology of punching is absolutely great)Savage Strikes by, Mark Hatmaker (A more practical and up-to-date reference and instructional book on MMA striking)

Both books are easeily found for under $20.

2) Get a heavy bag and start working rounds... And more rounds... And more rounds.

3) Find a good boxing gym. These are still fairly easy to find, and even moderate amounts of instruction can make a big difference in comparison to finding out what works for yourself. Aside from that, once you begin learning how to throw a KO punch, you're going to want to learn how to avoid getting hit by one.

Good luck.

__________________It doesn't matter if you agree or disagree... As long as I don't bore you and I spark a moment of thought, my goal is achieved.

Thank you for all the help and info, Onganju i will try to find a boxing gym in my area and look for the books at our local bookstore. Thanx for the equation as well. I never knew the direction of your hips could make a diference in your punching. Ill definetly try it in todays work out. than you very much for the info and advice.

All power in striking is generated from the ground up. Developing consistant power in your strikes is a lengthy process of fine-tuning the smaller components in a large body action. The study of body movement in action (kinesiology), can be real revealing as to what works. The reason why the same small movements are trained over, and over in length is so that it can all become second nature, and you don't have to consciously think about it when having to apply the action in a stressful situation.

Lets break down how to throw a rear cross/straight:

I say "rear" cross/straight to keep in mind if you fight from a southpaw/lefty stance. The cross (named so as the punch comes across the body's vertical centerline) is usually what most would consider their "sunday" punch. Due to the amount of distance it travels, there is more room for the punch to accelerate, and thusly it can generate more force.

From the standard "en guarde" boxing position, you'll initiate the punch by pushing off your rear foot. While pushing off the rear foot, rotate your hips toward the target. The rotation of your hips will begin the rotation of your shoulders toward the target, and also adds the mass of the upper body into the punch. Whilst the body is rotating toward the target, shoot your rear hand forward into the target, turning your palm so that it points downward at the point of impact. Turning the palm allows for deeper penetration on the punch, as the shoulder joint isn't aligned correctly to extend the arm completely if your fist is still in a vertical position. Once contact to the target is made, return the arm back along the same path to your ready position in order to be ready to defend any counter attacks.

So the movements of the cross (in fact, all punches) can be broken down like this:

Feet-->Legs-->Hips-->Shoulders-->Arm-->Return to ready position.

A few things to keep in mind while throwing the cross:
1) Keep your front hand up by your face to keep it guarded. This should be self explanatory.

2) If you're really committing power into this punch, slide your front foot forward 2 to 3 inches while pushing off your frear foot. This is your "drop step" and your punch should be connecting just as your drop step is completed. At the end of the drop step, your front foot will be forward, and your rear foot will be on its toes. This movement will commit all your body mass into the punch, thusly adding to the generation of force.

3) Punch with an emphasis on speed. Trying to concentrate on power and "muscling" your punches will cause you to tense up and take away from the ability to accelerate your arm effortlessly. Your punches should be loose and relaxed.

4) Punch through your target. Not any exagerrated amount, simply commit to drive your punch 3 to 4 inches beyond the surface of the target. The reason being is that you will be guaranteeing that your punch is connecting at the point when your arm is at its greatest point of acceleration. At the very end of your punch, your arm is already deccelerating because your arm is attached to your body and your connective tissues are stopping it from seperating itself.

To diagram the acceleration model of a punch it may look like this:
Start->20%->40%->60%->80%->100%->80%->End

Since I'm a fan of "Show and Tell" look at this HighLight reel of boxing's current pound-for-pound hardest puncher Manny Pacquiao here. Now, I'll probably be the first Fillipino to admit that Pacquiao's footwork is absolutely horrible, he sure as hell knows how to throw a left cross. Look at the knockdowns at the second half of the vid and you'll be able to notice that Pacquiao is moving forward, rotating his shoulders over fully, and completely punching through his target. It's all a great demonstration of applied physics.

__________________It doesn't matter if you agree or disagree... As long as I don't bore you and I spark a moment of thought, my goal is achieved.

thanx for all the advie guys im starting to feel a lil extra pop when i hit ppl now. The rotation of my hips really made a noticable difference in my power as well. Ironman you said you are a submission fighter so ud prlly be the person to ask this to. Ive bee trying to learn a kimora for 2wks ow and i am not getting it my instructor just keeps showing me over and over without breaking it down for me to see the steps could u xplain it to me thanx a million.

Firstly get a heavy bag and put in some serious time, on the first day - hit every shot your hardest(using good form), train till you drop then train a little more, if you feel your gonna die then go at it a little more. Dont worry about speed and technical moves, just punch- hard!!! The next day you will feel hurt in some places, these are the places that should be developed. I got this tip from someone else and was shocked- no triceps, chest, biceps shoulders pain, what hurt most was my lats and middle back, neck, abs, and my forearms/wrists.These are vital to power punching. A good way to get wrist strengh is to get some tips from armwrestling websites.

i would consider myself somewhat of a heavey hitter, but i do hit the heavy bag just about everyday, i also put weights on my wrists and ankles after i warm up just to help me with speed and power. you might want to try that out. you should be able to get strap on weights at any sporting good store.

i have also found that you dont nessecerily need a super powerful punch. a well placed punch to the throat, groin, jaw and a few other key pressure points will do the trick. try to find a source of target areas of the human body, then get a Body opponent bag or what have you and focus on those select areas when you train.

also there are many soft tissue areas or sensitive spots like the eyes, ears, nose, ribs, groin and knee joints that are pretty easy to get to. in a fight. dont be afraid to learn some anatomy. it will come in handy someday.

__________________"I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what."-HARPER LEE

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